Some are asking where Chabad Chassidus stands regarding the Emanuel issue and the allegations and denials surrounding charges of discrimination in the Emanuel Beis Yaakov.

It is a known fact that Chabad mosdos are open to all, regardless of ethnic background, prompting some to wonder if the chassidus is for or against the battle. Following are excerpts from Rav Brod’s release.

Chabad spokesman Rav Menachem Brod explains, in a carefully worded statement, that it is clear that the presence of the Chabad community at the Emanuel protest was not a statement of siding with either party, not the Chinuch Atzmai officials who deny discrimination charges, explaining girls were accepted or rejected on the basis of religious lifestyle suitability, or the Sephardi parents who insist their daughters were humiliated. Rav Brod feels this is a matter that must be adjudicated by a beis din.

Chabad’s participation signaled the movement’s agreement with the outrage over the blatant involvement of the nation’s High Court of Justice in chareidi chinuch, further stating if the state would have halted state-funds to the school one would be able to understand the logic – but in this case, the court was bold enough to attempt to force the parents’ hands, to compel them to accept the court’s definition of acceptable chinuch over the words of the rabbonim.

Chabad’s way he explains is an open-door policy to all ethnicities, providing one is a descendent of the Avos and Imahos, in line with the teachings of the Rebbe ZT”L. He explained the Rebbe felt responsible for all Klal Yisrael.

Rav Brod warns the court’s involvement set a very dangerous precedent for chareidi chinuch, further warning that “we know where this involvement begins but we cannot know where it ends”.

He concludes by stating discrimination based on ethnic background is unacceptable and it must be uprooted from the community. He states it is contrary to the Torah’s way.

“The Emanuel Beis Yaakov case revealed just how painful this can be, when Jews are met with the pain and humiliation of discrimination. Whatever the case may be, the solution must be found internally, not via the secular courts”.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)